Feeder for sheets of paper, &amp;c.



PATENTED JULY 26, 1904. T. & S. EMERSON. FEEDER FOR SHEETS OF PAPER, &c.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

fl wizas a as No. 765,962. PATENTED JULY 26, 1904.

T. & S. EMERSON."

FEEDER FOB. SHEETS OF PAPER; 8m.

APPLICATION rILnD MAR. 25. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHBETS-S HBET 2.

A A l a 14 2522 essay:

' J71 wanton: y Y firomas umas-0n Samuellmerson,

jyfiez'i ffiarney 'PATENTBD JULY 2 1904.

7 T; & S. EMERSON. FEEDER FOR SHEETS OF PAPER, &o.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25,-1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

Wz'tn ass es .72? vent-010 130mm; Emerson ,J @111 ueZ Imerso/ No.765,962. Patented July 26, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT Oriana.

THOMAS EMERSON AND SAMUEL EMERSON, OF KENSINGTON, CONNECTI- CUT,ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN PAPER GOODS COMPANY, OF KEN- SINGTON,CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEIV JERSEY.

FEEDER FOR SHEETS OF PAPER, 81.0.

SPECIFIC ATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,962, dated July26, 1904.

Application filed March 25, 1904. Serial No. 199,928. (No model.)

T 107mm it J/ Concern and its parts detached; and Figs. 6 and 7 are Beit known that we, THOMAS EMERSON and detail views of the platform,illustrating the SAMUEL EMnRsoN, citizens of the United manner in whichit is supported and the means States, residing at Kensington, in thecounty by which it is reciprocated. 5 of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have Like numerals designate similar parts jointly inventedcertain new and useful Imthroughout the several views. provements inFeeders for Sheets of Paper, Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5&c., of which the following is a specification. designates in a generalway the framework of 55 Our-inventionrelatesto paper-feedingmechthemachine, which may be of any suitable I0 anism generally, and, amongvarious uses, construction, form, and proportions. To upmaybe employedwith bag, envelop, and analorights 5 of said framework are securedbrackgous machines or with printing or other mechets 6, having dependinghangers 7, in which is anisni for operating upon sheets of paper.journaled a feed-roll 8, carrying gears 9 at its 60 Primarily the objectof the invention is the extremities, the latter meshing with gears 10provision of improvements whereby the maon a suction-roller 11. .Thisroll 11 is prochine is simplified and is rendered more ,effivided with alongitudinal bore 12 and with an cient in operation. enlarged centralportion 13, communicating A further object of the invention is theprowith said bore by ports 14:, and, as shown in 6 5 vision of animproved buffer or stop for the Fig. 4:, has a journal 11 at one endmounted 2O pile of sheets on the reciprocatory table of in a bearing ofone of the uprights 5' of the the machine whereby all of the sheets ofthe frame. At its opposite extremity the bore of pile will be sustainedby said buffer while the the suction-roller is enlarged to receivea tubelowermost sheet is being selected from the pile 15, said tube beingjournaled in a sleeve or 70 by a suction-roller or other device employedhollow plug 16, inserted in the other upright 2 5 for feeding it to thecooperating parts of the 5, and having a knob or bulb 16 for theremachine. ception of the end of a flexible tube 17 lead- A furtherobject of the invention is the proing to a suction-pump 18, thepiston-rod of vision of improvements in means for sustainwhich isdesignated by 19. (See Fig. 1.) 75 ing and in means for actuating thetable or In the bearing of the upright 5, in which 3 platform upon whichthe pile of sheets is the tubular journal 15 is mounted, and passplaced.ing through the sleeve 16 is-the usual port A further object of theinvention is the pro- 16 for the introduction of liquid, and thelatvision of improvements in the suction-roller ter, which may be of anykind, forms a thin 0 and in the manner of connecting the same coating orfilm between the parts which aids with the pipe leading to theair-exhausting in sealing the joint to produce an air-tight apparatus.connection and prevent the loss of suction.

Other objects of the invention will be set For driving the rolls 8 and11 any desired forth in the following description. means may beemployed, that shown being a 8 5 In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1is shaft 20, journaled in bearings 21 of the up- 4 a view in elevationof part of a machine with rights and carrying a gear 22 at one end inwhich our improvements may be employed. mesh with one of the gears 10 ofroll 11 and Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a longiabevel-gear 23at its opposite extremity, said tudinal vertical section taken on line 33 of bevel-gear being driven by a pinion 24: on a 9 Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is aview. partially in longishaft 25, to which rotary motion may beimtudinal vertical section, of the suction-roller parted in any desiredway. A bevel-gear 26 and the improved support for the same. Fig. issecured to the outer end of the shaft 20,

5 is a perspective view of the buffer-carrier and said gear is in meshwith acomplemental gear 27, attached to the extremity of a shaft 28,journaled in bearings 29 of a brace 30, connecting the parts of theframework, as shown in Fig. 2. On shaft 28, intermediate the bearings29, is mounted a cam 30, in the groove 30 of which is fitted a roller31, carried by a stud 32, secured in the end of a lever 33, pivoted at33 to a bracket 34, extending inwardly from the outer upright 5, asillustrated in Figs. 1, 6, and 7.

Designated by 35 is a table or platform which is fitted in ways 36 ofcross-plates 36, connecting the uprights 5 5, said table having on itsunder side a plate 37, provided with a groove for the reception of aroller 38, carried by a pin projecting from the lever Posts 39 arecarried by the table, and between said posts the pile of paper sheets tobe converted into bags, envelops, or similar articles or to be printedor otherwise treated is placed, so that when the table is reciprocatedsaid pile will be carried over the suction-roller 11, and the bottomsheet thereof will be held by said roller and will be carried by it tothe point where it will be engaged by roll 8, thus insuringa positivefeed of said sheet to the other parts of the machine.

A cross-bar 40 connects the uprights 5, and. at an intermediate part insaid cross-bar is formed a groove 40 for the reception of a stem or tang41 of a buffer-carrier 42, having in one form of our invention tubularposts 43. Fitted for sliding movement in these posts are rods 44,projecting from a bufferplate 45 and united at their outer ends by across-strip 46, said plate being connected by a suitable spring 47(shown as of the coiled variety) to a pin 48, projecting from thecarrier 42, so that the bufl'er-plate 45 will normally be held in theforward position shown in Fig. 3 in readiness to receive the impact ofthe end of the pile of sheets supported between the posts of the table35. As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the work-supporting tabletravels in an inclined path, and to enable the plate 45 squarely toengage the ends of all sheets of the pile the end of the buffer-carrier42 is inclined to the perpendicular, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Whilethe means shown for supporting and guiding the buffer in a rectilinearpath are preferred, it is distinctly to be understood that the inventionis not limited to the exact devices illus trated for accomplishing saidresult, nor is it limited to a single buffer, for two or more may beemployed, each having a rectilinear movement, as substitutes for the oneshown.

Endless chains 49, carrying the usual grippers (not shown) for conveyingthe sheet to the folders and parts cooperating therewith in theformation of the article for which the machine is designed, are providedin the exem plih'cation given, and these chains are driven bysprocket-wheels 50, carried by the shaft 20. These details constitute nopart of our present invention and are shown merely exempliiications ofone type of machine with which our improvements may be employed.

Heretofore in machines of which we are aware swinging buli'ers have beenemployed, and as these buffers move in the arc of a circle they do notafford a full bearing-surface for sheets, especially the lower ones ofthe pile, and consequently a poor connection is sometimes made by thesuction-roller with the lower sheet. To avoid this and other objectionsin the practical working of the feeding mechanism of the machine, theplate 45 bears against the ends or portions of the ends of each and allof the sheets of the pile with yielding pressure. and said platereceives the shock of the pile, cushions the blow thereof at eachreciprocation of the table, and moves on a line parallel to the path ofmovement of said table, so that the pile, whether large or small, isfirmly held at the time the lowermost sheet is withdrawn therefrom bythe suction-roller 11. Furthermore, the table 35 reciprocates in theways 36 and is positively actuated in both directions by the cam 30 andlever 33, thus avoiding chattering or lost motion incident to theemployment of pivoted links for supporting said table, as in, the oldconstructions, and affording a positive motion, which is a greatdesideratum in the class of machines to which our invention relates.

By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the plate 45 is detachablysecured by screws 51 to the rods 44 and that said plate carries lugs 45,working in guide-slots 52 of an angular extension 42 of the carrier 42.This angular extension is provided with a sharp edge 42*, and dependingfrom said extension are curved plates 53, separated by a slot 54, toreceive the roller 8, said plates serving as guides to aid in separatingthe lowermost sheet from the pile and to direct it between the rollers 8and 11, as shown in Fig. 3.

1n the operation of the machine the parts are so timed that the platformcarrying the pile of sheets advances toward the suctionroller at a rateabout equal to the peripheral speed of said roller, the end of the pilebeing forced against the bu lfer, which fits squarely against the same,and the sharp edge 42 of the angular extension 42 serving to aid inseparating the lowermost sheet from the pile. Exhaust is applied to thesuction-roller by the pump, and as the platform is reciprocated in aforward direction the end of the pile strikes the buffer and the bottomsheet thereof is carried over the roller 11, is caused immediately toadhere thereto, is directed by the curved plates 53 between the rollers8 and 11, and is fed by said rollers to a position where it will beengaged by the grippers of the chains or other mechanism with which thefeeder may be employed.

In virtue of the peculiar construction of the suction-roller a tightjoint is always maintained between the flexible tube 17 and the bulb 16on the end of sleeve 16, and as the tube 15 constitutes a journal forthe roller 11, said journal rotating within the sleeve 16, a reliableand simple connection is formed whereby the force of the exhaust may beefficiently applied to the sheet to be fed.

iVhile our invention is shown applied to a particular kind of machine,it is distinctly to be understood that it is not limited thereto, for itis equally applicable as afeeder for any class of machines in whichpaper is to be fed for various purposes.

Changes may be made in the form and proportions of the "arious partswithout departure from the invention, which is not limited in many ofits details to the precise construction described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is- 1. Thecombination, with a reciprocatory platform carrying a pile of sheets, ofa buffer having a bearing-surface against which the pile is fed; meansfor sustaining the buffer so that it will move in a straight path; andmeans for withdrawing one of the sheets from the pile.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with asuction-roller, of a tube secured to and forming a prolongation of saidroller; and a fixed sleeve surrounding said tube and forming a bearingtherefor, a suction device; and means for connecting said suction devicewith the sleeve.

3. The combination, with feed mechanism, of a suction-roller having aport and a passage leading from said port, said passage being enlargedat its end to form a chamber; a tubular journal fitted in said chamber;a stationary sleeve surrounding said journal; an exhaust device; andmeans for connecting said exhaust device with the sleeve.

4:. The combination, with roller feed mechanism, of a table fitted inways of the machineframe; a pivoted'lever connected to said table; a camfor positively actuating said lever; and a buffer movable in arectilinear path, and with which material supported by the table isadapted to engage.

5. The combinatiomwith a reciprocatory table carrying a pile of sheetsto be fed, of a pneumatic feeder arranged below the path traversed bythe bottom sheet of said pile, and adapted to seize and remove saidsheet at each feeding operation; and a yielding buffer movable in arectilinear path and against which said pile is fed by the table.

6. The combination, with a reciprocatory table carryingsheets to be fedarranged in a pile, of a pneumatic feeder arranged below the pathtraversed by the bottom sheet of said pile and adapted to seize andremove a sheet at each feeding operation; a reciprocatory buffer; and

means for causing said buffer to move in aline parallel with themovement of the table.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a tablemovable in ways of the frame and upon which the pile of sheets isplaced, of a lever pivoted to the frame and having a connection at oneend with said table; a cam having a groove for actuating said lever; abuffer movable in a line parallel to that of the table; and means forselecting the lowermost sheet from the pile on said table.

8. The combination, with a reciprocatory table, of a pivoted lever foractuating said table; a cam having a groove for controlling the movementof said lever; a buffer movable in a line parallel to the movement ofthe table; and suction and feed rollers for detaching the lowermostsheet from the pile upon the table.

9. The combination, with a reciprocatory table carrying the sheets to befed, of guides on the framework in which said table reciprocates; apivoted lever loosely connected at one end to the table; a cam having agroove for the reception of a projectionon the other end of said lever;means for rotating the cam; a buffer with which the end of the pileengages; means for guiding the buffer in a line parallel to the path ofmovement of the table; and suction and feed rollers for detaching thebottom sheet from the pile.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination, withframework, and with suction and feed rollers journaled therein, of acarrier secured to said framework and having guides; rods mounted insaid guides; a bufferplate carried by said rods; a spring for normallyholding said buffer-plate in a forward position; a table adapted toreceive sheets arranged in a pile; and means for reciprocating saidtable in a line parallel with the movement of the buffer-plate.

11. The combination, with framework, of a carrier secured thereto; rodsmounted for sliding movement in the carrier; a cross-bar forconnectingsaid rods at one end; guides for the rods secured to thecarrier; a buffer-plate attached to the other ends of the rods; a springfor normally holding said buffer-plate projected; suction and feedrollers; a reciprocatory table movable in a line parallel to that of thebuffer-plate, said table carrying the sheets arranged in a pile; andmeans for reciprocating said table.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with suctionand feed rollers journaled in said framework, of a carrier secured tosaid framework; tubular posts projecting from the carrier; rods mountedin said posts; a buffer-plate secured to the inner ends of the rods; across-bar connecting the outer ends of said rods; a spring connected tosaid cross-bar and to the carrier; a reciprocatory table movable in apath parallel to that of the buffer plate; and means for actuating saidtable.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination, withframework, of a carrier secured thereto and having strippers at itslower end; guides projecting from the carrier; rods movable in saidguides; a cross-bar connecting the inner ends of the rods; a springattached to said cross-bar and to the carrier; a buffer-plate secured tothe inner ends of the rods; a table for carrying sheets arranged in apile; and means for reciprocating said table in a line parallel with thepath of movement of the buffer-plate.

14. The combination, with framework, of a carrier supported thereby;suction and feed rollers; a buffer movable in a rectilinear path; atable for carrying the sheets arranged in a pile; and means forreciprocating said table.

15. The combination, with framework having standards connected by across-bar, said cross-bar provided with a groove, of a carrierdetachably secured in said groove, and having a pair of separated guidesat its lower end; tubular guide-posts projecting from the carrier; rodsmounted in said guide-posts; a crossbar connecting said rods at one end;a spring attached to said cross-bar and the carrier; a buffer-platecarried by the inner ends of said rods; a reciprocatory table upon whichsheets arranged in a pile are mounted; and means for actuating saidtable.

16. The combination, with framework comprising a pair of standardsconnected by a crossbar, of a carrier secured to said cross-bar andhaving guides at its lower end; suction and feed rollers; rods mountedon the carrier; a buffer-plate secured to the inner ends of said rods;means for connecting the outer ends of said rods; a spring for normallyprojecting the rods and buffer-plate; a reciprocatory table forreceiving the pile of sheets; and means for actuating said table.

17. The combination, with framework, of suction and feed rollers; acarrier projecting from the framework, and having curved guides locatedbetween said rollers and an edge for aiding in separating the sheet tobe fed from the pile; a buffer mounted on the carrier; a table; andmeans for reciprocating said table in a rectilinear path.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

THOMAS EMERSON. SAMUEL EMERSON. Vitnesses:

L. S. REYNALs, LUCIUS A. CARRIER.

